Divergent's finale Allegiant to be split into two movies

The final film in the Divergent trilogy will be released in two parts.

Deadline confirmed today that Allegiant, the final book in Veronica Roth's dystopian young adult book trilogy, will be adapted into two films.

This replicates the pattern established first by the Harry Potter series, and later Twilight and The Hunger Games.

"Veronica Roth brings her captivating story to a masterful conclusion in Allegiant, a rich, action-packed book with material that is ideally suited to two strong and fulfilling movies," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger.

"The storytelling arc and world of the characters lend themselves perfectly to two films, a storytelling strategy that has worked very well for us on the two Twilight: Breaking Dawn films and about which we're tremendously enthusiastic for the two upcoming Mockingjay films of The Hunger Games franchise."

The second installment Insurgent will begin filming in May, and is set for a 2015 release.

Allegiant Part 1 is currently slated for release on March 18, 2016, with Part 2 following a year later on March 24, 2017. The films will reportedly be produced separately, rather than back-to-back.

Divergentdebuted at number one at the US box office a fortnight ago, and has made $116 million at the domestic box office.

The film was less successful upon its UK debut, opening in fourth place and underperforming compared to Twilight and The Hunger Games' opening weekends.